Peptide Domain Required For Interaction Between The Envelope of a Virus Pertaining to The Herv-W Interference Group and an Hasct Receptor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a peptide domain required for interaction between the envelope of a virus pertaining to the HERV-W interference group and a hASCT receptor, comprising an N end point and a C end point. Said peptide domain is defined, at the N end point thereof, by a pattern formed by the amino acids L (Z)-proline-cysteine-X-cysteine in which Z is any amino acid, is a whole number between 2 and 30, and X is any amino acid, and at the C end point thereof, by a pattern formed by the amino acids serine-aspartic acid-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd-Xe-aspartic acid-Xf-Xg-(Z) in which Xa, Xb, Xc, Xd, Xe, Xf, Xg are any amino acids, Z is any amino acid, B is a whole number between 15 and 25, preferably 20. The peptide domain comprises, between the N end point and the C end point, at least one pattern selected from the following patterns: a pattern formed by the amino acids cysteine-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-cysteine in which X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 are any amino acids, and a pattern formed by the amino acids cysteine-X7-X8-X9-X10-X11-X12-X13-X14-X15-cysteine-trytophane in which X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, X12, X13, X14, X15 are any amino acids.

The present invention relates to a polypeptide domain responsible forinteractions between a retroviral envelope of the HERV-W interferencegroup and the receptors of the hASCT family.

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute 8% of the human genomeand are involved both in pathologies and in nonpathological phenomena.

The human endogenous retrovirus family W (HERV-W) is derived from aninfectious retroviral element that was integrated into the germ line 25to 40 million years ago. The HERV-W envelope protein, also calledsyncytin, is a fusogenic glycoprotein involved in the formation of thesyncytiotrophoblastic layer of the placenta. It is encoded by the envgene of the proviral locus ERVW1 and synthesized in the form of a gPr73precursor which is specifically cleaved into two mature proteins, asurface subunit gp50 (SU) and a transmembrane subunit gp24 (TM).

In vitro, syncytin of the HERV-W family induces a cell to cell fusionthat is dependent on its interaction with a receptor-transporter ofamino acids of the ASCT family (h-ASCT2, hASCT1). Phylogenic studiesthen showed that syncytin is related to a group of retrovirusescomprising in particular the cat endogenous virus RD114, the monkeyendogenous virus BaEV, simian retroviruses and avian retroviruses: avianreticuloendotheliosis virus REV-A and spleen necrosis virus SNV, allhaving in common the type 2 sodium-dependant neutral amino acidreceptor-transporter or hASCT2 (Rasko et al, 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA Vol. 96, pp. 2129-2134; Tailor et al, 1999 Journal of Virology,vol. 73(5) May 1999, P. 4470-4474). Thus, the infection of cells withviruses of this retrovirus group leads to a specific reduction in thetransport of amino acids (Rasko et al., 1999). The infection of a cellwith one of these retroviruses (or the expression of one of theseenvelopes in the cell) prevents, through interference (interaction) inrelation to a receptor of the ASCT family, the infection of this samecell by another of these retroviruses or the fusion with another cellexpressing another envelope. Through interference in relation to areceptor of the ASCT family, the infection of a cell by one of theseretro-viruses prevents the infection by another of these retroviruses.All these retroviruses belong to the same HERV-W virus interferencegroup.

The mechanisms of binding between the envelope and the ASCT receptorremain obscure, and to date no domain for binding to an ASCT receptorhas been identified and defined either in the SU of the HERV-W envelopeprotein or in the SUs of retroviruses of the same interference group.This theme is nevertheless essential since the inhibition of theenvelope/ASCT receptor interaction would in addition make it possible toprevent the entry of a retrovirus into the cell, and therefore to blockits replication cycle, to block the phenomenon of envelope/ASCT receptorinteraction and/or of cell fusion which may be involved in the formationof tumors, in the proliferation of metastasic cells or in drugresistance phenomena (see by way of illustration the publication “Cellfusion: A hidden enemy?, Cancer Cell: May 2003, vol. 3), to block thephenomenon of envelope/ASCT receptor interaction and/or of cell fusionwhich may be involved in nervous system diseases and even to inhibit thecell-cell fusion involved in trophoblastic differentiation(contraceptive vaccination). Furthermore, the inhibition of theenvelope/hASCT receptor interaction could prevent tumor propagation bycounteracting a local immunosuppression which may result from theenvelope/hASCT receptor interaction. Indeed, it has been shown, on theone hand, that the infection of cells with viruses of this retrovirusgroup (in particular those inducing immunodeficiencies) leads to aspecific reduction in the transport of amino acids (Rasko et al, PNAS,vol. 96. pp 2129-2134 (1999)), and on the other hand, a direct link isproposed between the impairment of the transport of amino acids andimmunosuppression (Espinosa A, Villarreal L P., T-Ag inhibitsimplantation by EC cell derived embryoid bodies. Virus Genes. 2000;20(3): 195-200; J E, Battini J L, Gottschalk R J, Mazo I, Miller A D.,The RD114/simian type D retrovirus receptor is a neutral amino acidtransporter. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1999, Mar. 2; 96(5): 2129-34).Thus, as regards nervous system diseases, it is known that the hASCTreceptors are involved in the specific transport of neutral amino acidsand that neuronal cells, for the transmission of information,predominantly use neuromediators of a polypeptide nature. Thus, thebinding of the Env-HERV-W protein to receptors which normally have totransport the amino acids required for the synthesis of neuromediatorscan affect the capacity of the neurons to synthesize the neuromediatorsby reducing the entry of the physiological agonists such as amino acidsvia the ASCT receptors. Moreover, if neurons whose intercellularnetworks form connections which are essential for the transmission ofinformation circulating in the brain and the spinal cord, form syncytiafollowing a fusion of several neurons which is induced by the Env-HERV-Wprotein, all the networks for transmission of information becomedisrupted and connected to the same fused “cellular package” and,furthermore, the neuromediator production activity of each cell is nolonger individualized or connected to the upstream or downstreamconduction pathways (dendrites and axons) which are specific to it.

Surprisingly, the inventors have identified the polypeptide regionresponsible for the interactions between the envelope of a virusbelonging to the HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor.

To this effect, the present invention relates to a peptide domainnecessary for the interaction between the envelope of a virus belongingto the HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor, defined in thatit starts with an N-terminus and ends with a C-terminus, and in that:

-   -   the N-terminus is defined by a motif, consisting of the amino        acids (Z)_(α)-proline-cysteine-X-cysteine in which        -   Z is any amino acid        -   α is an integer between 2 and 30        -   X is any amino acid,    -   said motif being chosen from SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 29 and        SEQ ID No. 44 to SEQ ID No. 72    -   the C-terminus is defined by a motif consisting the amino acids        serine-aspartic acid-X_(a)-X_(b)-X_(c)-X_(d)-X_(e) aspartic        acid-X_(f)-X_(g)-(Z)_(p) in which        -   X_(a), X_(b), X_(c), X_(d), X_(e), X_(f), X_(g) are any            amino acids        -   Z is any amino acid        -   β is an integer between 15 and 25, preferably 20        -   said motif being chosen from SEQ ID No. 30 to SEQ ID No. 40,    -   and in that said peptide domain comprises, between the        N-terminus and the C-terminus, at least one motif chosen from        the following motifs:    -   a motif consisting of the amino acids        cysteine-tyrosine-X₂-X₃-X₄-X₅-X₆-cysteine, in which X₂, X₃, X₄,        X₅, X₆ are any amino acids said motif corresponding to SEQ ID        No. 41    -   a motif consisting of the amino acids        cysteine-X₇-X₈-X₉-X₁₀-X₁₁-X₁₂-X₁₃-X₁₄-X₁₅-cysteine-tryptophan,    -   in which X₇, X₈, X₉, X₁₀, X₁₁, X₁₂, X₁₃, X₁₄, X₁₅ are any amino        acids    -   said motif corresponding to SEQ ID No. 42 or SEQ ID No. 73.

The expression peptide domain according to the invention is understoodto mean a minimum region of the envelope of a virus of the HERV-Winterference group necessary for the recognition of an hASCT receptor.

The peptide domains of the invention may be obtained by the geneticengineering technique which comprises the steps of:

-   -   culturing a microorganism or eukaryotic cells transformed with        the aid of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, and    -   recovering the peptide domain produced by said microorganism or        said eukaryotic cells.

This technique is well known to a person skilled in the art. For furtherdetails concerning it, reference may be made to the book below:Recombinant DNA Technology I, Editors Ales Prokop, Raskesh K Bajpai;Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Volume 646, 1991. Thepeptide domains of the invention may also be prepared by conventionalpeptide syntheses well known to a person skilled in the art.

The expression interference group is understood to mean all the virusesfor which the infection (expression) of a cell by one of its membersprevents infection by another member of the group by receptorinterference.

The expression any amino acid is understood to mean in particular anamino acid chosen from arginine, histidine, lysine, aspartic acid,glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, asparagine,threonine, alanine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine,tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, cysteine, glycine, proline.

The expression hASCT receptor is understood to mean any sodium-dependentneutral amino acid transporter.

The expression motifs is understood to mean a succession of amino acidscorresponding to a particular region of interest of the peptide domainaccording to the invention, which is expressed by all the viruses of theHERV-W virus interference group.

Preferably, α is an integer between 3 and 18.

Preferably X or Xaa of the Pro Cys Xaa Cys motif in SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQID No. 29 is an amino acid chosen from aspartic acid, glutamic acid,arginine: these sequences are those preferably chosen from SEQ ID No. 44to SEQ ID No. 72.

Preferably, X_(a), X_(b), X_(c) or the amino acids at positions 3, 4 and5 of SEQ ID Nos. 30 to 40 are a glycine, X_(d) or the amino acid Xaa atposition 6 of SEQ ID Nos. 30 to 40 is an amino acid chosen from prolineand valine; Xe or the amino acid Xaa at position 7 of SEQ ID Nos. 30 to40 is an amino acid chosen from glutamine, leucine and threonine; X_(f)or the amino acid Xaa at position 9 of SEQ ID Nos. 30 to 40 is an aminoacid chosen from lysine, threonine, methionine and glutamine, X_(g) orthe amino acid at position 10 of SEQ ID Nos. 30 to 40 is an amino acidchosen from alanine, lysine, isoleucine, threonine and valine.

Preferably, β is an integer equal to 20.

Preferably, X₂ or the amino acid Xaa at position 3 of SEQ ID No. 41 isan amino acid chosen from asparagine, threonine, glutamic acid,histidine, X₃ or the amino acid Xaa at position 4 of SEQ ID No. 41 is anamino acid chosen from histidine, alanine, serine, lysine, glutamicacid; X₄ or the amino acid Xaa at position 5 of SEQ ID No. 41 is anamino acid chosen from tyrosine, threonine, alanine, X₅ or the aminoacid Xaa at position 6 of SEQ ID No. 41 is an amino acid chosen fromglutamine, arginine, threonine, X₆ or the amino acid Xaa at position 7of SEQ ID No. 41 is an amino acid chosen from leucine, glutamine,glutamic acid.

Preferably X₇ or the amino acid Xaa at position 2 of SEQ ID No. 42 is anamino acid chosen from proline, threonine, arginine and asparagine; X₈or the amino acid Xaa at position 3 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acidchosen from glycine, glutamic acid, asparagine, Xg or the amino acid Xaaat position 4 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acid chosen from glycine,asparagine, isoleucine, threonine, serine, X₁₀ or the amino acid Xaa atposition 5 of SEQ ID No. 42 is lysine or is deleted; X₁₁ or the aminoacid xaa at position 6 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acid chosen fromlysine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, X₁₂ or the amino acid Xaa atposition 7 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acid chosen from glycine,asparagine; X₁₃ or the amino acid Xaa at position 8 of SEQ ID No. 42 isan amino acid chosen from glutamine, lysine, valine, X₁₄ or the aminoacid Xaa at position 9 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acid chosen fromvaline, proline, serine, threonine, X₁₅ or the amino acid Xaa atposition 10 of SEQ ID No. 42 is an amino acid chosen from valine,isoleucine.

Preferably,

the amino acid Xaa at position 2 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen fromproline, threonine, arginine and asparagine,the amino acid Xaa at position 3 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen fromglycine, glutamic acid, asparagine,the amino acid Xaa at position 4 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen fromglycine, asparagine, isoleucine, threonine, serine,the amino acid Xaa at position 5 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen from lysine,valine, isoleucine, leucine,the amino acid Xaa at position 6 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen fromglycine, asparagine,the amino acid Xaa at position 7 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen fromglutamine, lysine, valine,the amino acid Xaa at position 8 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen from valine,proline, serine, threonine,the amino acid Xaa at position 9 of SEQ ID No. 73 is chosen from valine,isoleucine.

Deletions are possible in the domains according to the inventionindicated above. According to a particular embodiment of the invention,X₁₀ is deleted.

The invention also relates to a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptidedomain according to the invention above.

Such sequences may be prepared by chemical synthesis and geneticengineering using techniques well known to a person skilled in the artand described, for example, in Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, 1989.

The invention also relates to an epitope derived from the peptide domainaccording to the invention, characterized in that it induces an immuneresponse against a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference group.

The expression epitope is understood to mean all or part of the peptidedomain according to the invention recognized by a receptor located atthe surface of a B or T lymphocyte or of a circulating antibody.

The expression immune response is understood to mean all the biologicalmechanisms which allow a pluricellular organism to maintain thecoherence of the cells and tissues which constitute it and to ensure itsintegrity in response to any attack which modifies the molecularstructures of its constituents or which introduces foreign moleculesinto the organism.

The invention also relates to a nucleotide sequence encoding an epitopeas defined above. As indicated above, such sequences may be prepared bychemical synthesis and genetic engineering using techniques well knownto a person skilled in the art and described, for example, in SambrookJ. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 1989.

The invention also relates to an expression vector characterized in thatit comprises a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, and themeans necessary for its expression.

By way of expression vector, there may be mentioned, for example,plasmids, viral vectors of the vaccinia virus, adenovirus, baculovirus,poxvirus or retrovirus type, bacterial vectors of the salmonella or BCGtype.

The expression means necessary for its expression is understood to meanany means which make it possible to obtain a peptide from a nucleotidesequence, such as in particular a promoter, a transcription terminator,a replication origin and preferably a selectable marker.

The vectors of the invention may also comprise sequences necessary fortargeting peptides to particular cell compartments.

The invention also relates to a host microorganism or cell transformedwith at least one expression vector according to the invention.

By way of examples of microorganisms which are suitable for the purposesof the invention, there may be mentioned yeasts, such as those of thefollowing families: Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharoyces, Kluveromyces,Pichia, Hanseluna, Yarowia, Schwani omyces, Zygosaccharomyces;Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces carlsbergensis and Kluveromyceslactis being preferred; and bacteria such as E. coli and those of thefollowing families: Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Salmonella,Streptococcus, Bacillus and Streptomyces.

By way of examples of transformed host cells, there may be mentionedcells derived from animals such as mammals, reptiles, insects and thelike. The preferred eukaryotic cells are cells derived from the Chinesehamster (CHO cells), from monkeys (COS and Vero cells), from younghamster kidney (BHK cells), from pig kidney (PK 15 cells) and fromrabbit kidney (RK13 cells), human osteosarcoma cell lines (143 B cells),human HeLa cell lines and human hepatoma cell lines (of the Hep G2 celltype), and insect cell lines (for example Spodoptera frugiperda), ahuman embryonic kidney cell line (for example HEK293T). The host cellsmay be provided in cultures in suspension or in flasks, in tissuecultures, organ cultures and the like.

The invention also relates to an antibody directed against a peptidedomain according to the invention or against an epitope according to theinvention.

The expression antibody is understood to mean both a whole antibody andan antibody fragment.

The recombinant antibodies may be obtained according to conventionalmethods known to a person skilled in the art, from prokaryoticorganisms, such as bacteria, or from eukaryotic organisms, such asyeasts, mammalian, plant, insect or animal cells, or by extracellularproduction systems.

The monoclonal antibodies may be prepared according to conventionaltechniques known to a person skilled in the art such as the hybridomatechnique whose general principle is recalled below.

In a first instance, an animal, generally a mouse (or cultured cells inthe context of in vitro immunizations), is immunized with a targetantigen of interest, whose B lymphocytes are then capable of producingantibodies against said antigen. These antibody-producing lymphocytesare then fused with “immortal” myelomatous cells (murine in the example)in order to give rise to hybridomas. From the heterogenous mixture ofcells thus obtained, a selection of the cells capable of producing aparticular antibody and of multiplying it indefinitely is then carriedout. Each hybridoma is multiplied in clone form, each leading to theproduction of a monoclonal antibody whose recognition properties inrelation to the antigen of interest may be tested, for example by ELISA,by one- or two-dimensional immunotransfer, by immuno-fluorescence orwith the aid of a biosensor. The monoclonal antibodies thus selected aresubsequently purified in particular according to the affinitychromatography technique.

The expression antibody fragment is understood to mean any antibodyfragment following an immune response against a virus belonging to theHERV-W interference group. These antibody fragments may, for example, beobtained by proteolysis. Thus, they may be obtained by enzymaticdigestion, resulting in fragments of the Fab type (treatment withpapain; Porter R R, 1959, Biochem. J., 73: 199-126) or of the F(ab)′₂type (treatment with pepsin; Nisonoff A. et al., 1960, Science, 132:1770-1771). They may also be prepared by the recombinant route (SkerraA., 1993, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 5: 256-262). Another antibody fragmentwhich is suitable for the proposals of the invention comprises an Fvfragment which is a dimer consisting of the noncovalent combination ofthe variable light (VL) domain and of the variable heavy (VH) domain ofthe Fab fragment, and therefore the combination of two polypeptidechains. In order to improve the stability of the Fv fragment due to thedissociation of the two polypeptide chains, this Fv fragment may bemodified by genetic engineering by inserting a suitable linker peptidebetween the VL domain and the VH domain (Huston P. et al., 1988, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85: 5879-5883). The expression scFv fragment(“single chain Fragment variable”) is then used because it consists of asingle polypeptide chain. The use of a linker peptide preferablycomposed of 15 to 25 amino acids makes it possible to link theC-terminus of one domain to the N-terminus of the other domain, thusconstituting a monomeric molecule endowed with binding propertiessimilar to those of the antibody in its complete form. Both orientationsof the VL and VH domains are suitable (VL-linker-VH and VH-linker-VL)because they exhibit identical functional properties. Of course, anyfragment known to a person skilled in the art and exhibiting theimmunological characteristics defined above are suitable for thepurposes of the invention.

The invention also relates to the use of at least one peptide domainaccording to the invention, of at least one epitope according to theinvention, of at least one antibody according to the invention or of atleast one nucleotide sequence according to the invention, for thepreparation of a medicament intended for the inhibition, prevention ortreatment of an infection caused by a virus belonging to the HERV-Winterference group in an animal, preferably humans. The peptide domainaccording to the invention may be used in particular for targeting cellsexpressing a receptor of the hASCT family in order to transduce asignal, and modulate the flow of amino acids (cancer treatments).

The expression elements necessary for a constitutive expression ofpeptides is understood to mean a ubiquitous promoter specific toeukaryotic cells. By way of elements necessary for an inducibleexpression of the peptides, there may be mentioned the elements forregulating the E. coli operon for resistance to tetracycline (Gossen M.et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89: 5547-5551 (1992)).

The use of at least one peptide domain according to the invention, of atleast one epitope according to the invention, or of at least onenucleotide sequence according to the invention is particularly suitablefor the preparation of a medicament intended for the prevention of aninfection caused by a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference groupin an animal, preferably humans. The use of at least one antibodyaccording to the invention is particularly suitable for the preparationof a medicament intended for the inhibition or treatment of an infectionor a pathology induced by a virus belonging to the HERV-W interferencegroup in an animal, preferably humans.

The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising,by way of active substance, at least one peptide domain according to theinvention, at least one epitope according to the invention, oralternatively at least one of the nucleotide sequences according to theinvention, in particular placed under the control of elements necessaryfor a constitutive and/or inducible expression of said peptide domainsor epitopes, in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising,by way of active substance, at least one antibody according to theinvention, in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.

Of course, persons skilled in the art will easily determine thepharmaceutically appropriate vehicle and the quantity of peptidedomains, of epitopes, of nucleotide acids or of antibodies to be usedaccording to the constituents of the pharmaceutical composition.

In the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention, for oral,sublingual, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, topical,intratracheal, rectal or transdermal administration, the activesubstance may be administered in unit forms for administration or as amixture with conventional pharmaceutical supports and intended foradministration by the oral route, for example in the form of a tablet, agelatin capsule, an oral solution, and the like, or by the rectal route,in the form of a suppository, or by the parentral route, in particularin the form of a solution for injection, in particular by theintravenous, intradermal or subcutaneous route, and the like, accordingto conventional protocols well known to persons skilled in the art. Fortopical application, the active substance may be used in creams,ointments, lotions, eyedrops.

When a solid composition in tablet form is prepared, the activesubstance is mixed with the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, alsocalled a pharmaceutical vehicle, such as gelatin, starch, lactose,magnesium stearate, talc, gum Arabic or the like. The tablets may becoated with sucrose, with a cellulose derivative or with otherappropriate materials. It is also possible to treat them such that theyhave a prolonged or delayed activity and they continuously release apredetermined quantity of the active substance. It is also possible toobtain a preparation as gelatin capsules by mixing the active substancewith a diluent and pouring the mixture into soft or hard gelatincapsules. It is also possible to obtain a preparation in syrup form orfor administration in the form of drops, in which the active substanceis present together with a sweetener, an antiseptic, such as inparticular methylparaben and propylparaben, and a taste enhancer or anappropriate colorant. The powders or water-dispersible granules maycontain the active substance in the form of a mixture with dispersingagents or wetting agents, or suspending agents, well known to personsskilled in the art. For parentral administration, aqueous suspensions,isotonic saline solutions or sterile solutions or solutions forinjection which contain dispersing agents, pharmacologically compatiblewetting agents, such as in particular polyethylene glycol or butyleneglycol, are used.

The medicament or the pharmaceutical composition according to theinvention may additionally comprise an activating agent which inducesthe effects of a medication or reinforces or supplements the effects ofthe principal medication, by increasing in particular thebioavailability of the principal medication.

The dosage depends on the seriousness of the condition and will beadapted according to a conventional protocol. As a guide, when theactive substance is a monoclonal antibody, the weekly dose is from 1 to10 mg/kg, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

The invention also relates to a diagnostic composition for the detectionand/or quantification of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interferencegroup, or the detection and/or quantification of an immune responseagainst said virus, comprising at least one peptide domain according tothe invention, at least one epitope according to the invention, at leastone of the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, or at leastone antibody according to the invention.

A diagnostic composition comprising at least one peptide domainaccording to the invention, at least one epitope according to theinvention, at least one of the nucleotide sequences according to theinvention, is particularly suitable if it is desired to determine if apatient has an immune response against a virus belonging to the HERV-Winterference group while a diagnostic composition comprising at leastone antibody according to the invention is particularly suitable for thedetection and/or quantification of a virus belonging to the HERV-Winterference group.

The invention also relates to a method for the detection and/orquantification of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference group ina biological sample taken from an individual liable to be infected bysaid virus, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in:

-   -   bringing said biological sample into contact with at least one        antibody according to the invention under conditions allowing        the formation of a complex between the virus and the antibody,        and    -   detecting and/or quantifying the formation of said complex by        any appropriate means.

The expression biological sample is understood to mean a biologicalsample of human or animal origin liable to contain said virus, such as asample of blood, plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or oftissues, such as placenta, testicles, prostate and breast.

The step of bringing into contact is a step that is conventionally knownto a person skilled in the art.

The detection/quantification step may be carried out by any detectionmeans known in the field of immunological assays of very smallmolecules, such as direct detection, that is to say without theintermediary of a binding partner or of binding partners, and indirectdetection, that is to say through the intermediary of a binding partneror of binding partners.

The direct detection of the binding between the antibody or antibodyfragment of the invention and the virus may be carried out for exampleby surface plasmon resonance or by cyclic voltammetry on an electrodebearing a conducting polymer. In this case, the antibody of theinvention serves to immunocapture all or part of the virus, which isthen eluted. The elution may be carried out by any elution method knownto a person skilled in the art, such as a pH shock.

In the case of indirect detection, the second step of the method of theinvention may be carried out according to the conventional ELISAcompetition assay technique. The antibody of the invention then servesas binding partner serving to capture all or part of the virus in thesample. The detection may then be performed by competition between allor part of the virus which may be contained in the sample to be testedand a previously labeled known quantity of virus.

The expression labeling is understood to mean the attachment of a markercapable of directly or indirectly generating a detectable signal. Anonlimiting list of these markers consists of:

-   -   enzymes which produce a detectable signal, for example, by        colorimetry, fluorescence, luminescence, such as horseradish        peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholine esterase,        β-galactosidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase,    -   chromophores such as luminescent, coloring compounds,    -   radioactive molecules such as 32P, 35S or 125I,    -   fluorescent molecules such as fluorescein, rhodomine, alexa or        phycocyanins, and    -   particles such as gold or magnetic latex particles, liposomes.

Indirect labeling systems may also be used, such as, for example, viaanother ligand/anti-ligand pair. The ligand/anti-ligand pairs are wellknown to a person skilled in the art, and the following pairs may bementioned for example: biotin/streptavidin, biotin/avidin,hapten/antibody, antigen/antibody, peptide/antibody, sugar/lectin,polynucleotide/complementary strand for the polynucleotide. In thiscase, it is the ligand which is bound to the binding partner. Theanti-ligand may be detected directly by the markers described in theproceeding paragraph or may itself be detected by a ligand/anti-ligand.

These indirect systems may lead, under certain conditions, to anamplification of the signal. This signal amplification technique is wellknown to a person skilled in the art, and reference may be made to theprevious patent applications FR98/10084 or WO95/08000 by the applicantor to the article J. Histochem. Cytochem., (1997), 45: 481-491.

The labeling of molecules is widely known to a person skilled in the artand is described for example by Greg T. Hermanson in BioconjugateTechniques, 1996, Academic Press Inc., 525B Street, San Diego, Calif.92101 USA.

Depending on the type of labeling used, such as for example using anenzyme, a person skilled in the art will add reagents which allowvisualization of the labeling.

Such reagents are widely known to a person skilled in the art and aredescribed in particular in Principles and Practice of Immunoessay, 2ndedition, Edited by C. Price, D. G. Newman, Stockton Press, 1997, 345Park Avenue South, N.Y.

The invention also relates to the use of the above composition for thein vitro screening of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference groupin a biological sample or specimen. In particular, the early screeningof a virus such as SRV1 and SRV2, viruses that are involved inimmunodeficiency mechanisms in monkeys, makes it possible to provide atreatment suitable for the host before the appearance of animmunodeficiency. Moreover, the early screening of HERV-W, involved inplacental pathologies, makes it possible to modulate its expression, forexample, during a preeclampsia.

The invention also relates to the use of a peptide domain according tothe invention or of an epitope according to the invention, or of anantibody according to the invention, for inhibiting the interactionbetween the envelope of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interferencegroup and an ASCT receptor. This makes it possible, in particular, toobtain a contraceptive immunotherapy.

The invention also relates to the use of a peptide domain according tothe invention for identifying chemical or biological molecules whoseinteraction with all or part of this peptide domain blocks theinteraction between the envelope of a virus belonging to the HERV-Winterference group and an ASCT receptor. For example, when a peptidedomain according to the invention of HERV-W is used, this makes itpossible to obtain in particular chemical or biological molecules thatare highly suitable in order to obtain a contraceptive treatment. Theuse of such chemical molecules to inhibit the interaction between theenvelope of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference group and anASCT receptor is of therapeutic interest.

As a guide, two generic methods allowing the screening of chemical orbiological molecules capable of inhibiting the env/receptor interactionare described below.

In a context where it is possible to produce a soluble envelope, it isadvisable to determine if a chemical or biological molecule alters theenv/receptor interaction according to an ELISA type method using cellsexpressing at least one hASCT receptor in a capture phase. Thus, on a96-well plate, cells expressing an hASCT receptor of interest arecultured or adsorbed, and an env/receptor interaction is detected viathe use of a labeled soluble envelope (histine tag, GPF fusion), andtherefore capable of generating a reference signal that can be assayed.If a signal reduction is observed after preincubation of said solubleenvelope with a chemical or biological molecule, that means that thechemical or biological molecule alters the env/receptor interaction.Alternatively, it is possible to use a retroviral vector pseudotyped bythe envelope of interest and expressing a detectable marker (LacZ) andto carry out the same test. It is also possible to select molecules ofinterest via a measurement of fusion inhibition. Cells expressing thereceptor of interest (cell-recept), for example HeLa or XC-RDR cells,and cells constitutively expressing a marker (for example, LacZ) andtransiently or stably expressing the envelope of interest(cell-env-LacZ) are used; the envelope of interest was modifiedbeforehand at the level of its intracytoplasmic tail by exchange withthe intracytoplasmic domain of HERV-W env so as to make itconstitutively fusogenic (Cheynet et al, 79(9): 5586-5593, 2005). Thebringing into contact of the two cell types, “cell-recept” in excess and“cell-env-LacZ” in insufficient amount, leads to the formation ofmultinucleated giant cells or syncytia, containing one or two bluenuclei derived from “cell-env-LacZ” and tens of white nuclei derivedfrom “cell-recept”. An identical co-culture performed in the presence ofa chemical or biological molecule altering the env/receptor interactionleads to a reduction in the number of syncytia and their nucleuscontent. Automation of such measurements with the aid of a CCD camera ispossible.

The invention also relates to the use of a peptide domain in accordancewith the invention for generating antibodies blocking the interactionbetween the envelope of a virus belonging to the HERV-W interferencegroup and an HASCT receptor.

The invention also relates to a method for determining a polypeptideregion necessary for the interaction between the envelope of a virusbelonging to the HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor,characterized in that:

-   -   the nucleotide and/or peptide sequence of the precursor envelope        of said virus is identified    -   the signal part is excluded    -   a serine-aspartic acid-X_(a)-X_(b)-X_(c)-X_(d)-X_(e)-aspartic        acid-X_(f)-X_(g) is detected domain in which    -   X_(a), X_(b), X_(c), X_(d), X_(e), X_(f), X_(g), are any amino        acids which correspond to SEQ ID No. 43    -   the C-terminus is excluded between 15 and 25 amino acids,        preferably 20 amino acids, after said serine-aspartic        acid-X_(a)-X_(b)-X_(c)-X_(d)-X_(e)-aspartic acid-X_(f)-X_(g)        domain, which corresponds to SEQ ID No. 43.

Preferably, X_(a), X_(b), X_(c) is an amino acid which is glycine, X_(d)is an amino acid chosen from proline and valine, X_(e) is an amino acidchosen from glutamine, leucine and threonine, X_(f) is an amino acidchosen from lysine, threonine, methionine and glutamine, X_(g) is anamino acid chosen from alanine, lysine, isoleucine, threonine andvaline.

For the purposes of the present invention, the nucleotide sequenceand/or peptide consequent of the precursor envelope of said virus isidentified by any means known to a person skilled in the art, who mayrefer in particular to Maniatis (ed. 1989).

The signal part is excluded by any means known to a person skilled inthe art, as described in particular in “Improved Prediction of SignalPeptide: SignalP 3.0” Jannick Dyrløv Bendtsen, Henrik Nielsen, Gunnarvon Hiejne and Søren Brunak, J. Mol. Biol., 340: 783-795, 2004.

Said domain is detected by any means known to a person skilled in theart, that is to say using Blast or Fasta type software (see, inparticular, Altschul S F, Gish W, Miller W, Myers E W, Lipman D J.,Basic local alignment search tool. J. Mol. Biol. 1990 Oct. 5; 215(3):403-10).

The invention also relates to a peptide domain capable of being obtainedby the above method.

The accompanying figures are given by way of explanatory example andhave no limiting character. They will make it possible to betterunderstand the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the phenotypical characteristics and properties ofsoluble recombinant proteins derived from Env-W. In particular, FIG. 1 aillustrates the largest soluble recombinant protein comprising all orpart of the SU and TM subunits (Env-Gp60) and the soluble recombinantprotein corresponding to the SU subunit (EnvSU). FIG. 1 b represents theflow cytometry analysis of the test for binding of the EnvSU recombinantprotein to XC hASCT2 and XC hASCT1 cells expressing the hASCT2 andhASCT1 receptors, respectively. FIG. 1 c illustrates the test ofinterference of binding to the TE671 cells (control hASCT2), TE671RDcells (blocked hASCT2) and TE671galv cells (blocked Pit1).

FIG. 2 illustrates the definition of the minimum binding domain of theERV-W envelope to the hASCT2 receptor (RBD for receptor binding domain).In particular, FIG. 2 a describes all the deletion mutants designed fromEnvSU. FIG. 2 b represents the flow cytometry analysis of the test ofbinding of the recombinant proteins derived from EnvSU to the XC hASCT2cells expressing the hASCT2 receptor, in particular the binding of theEnv197, Env168 and Env144 mutants and the binding defect of theEnv69-317, Env169-317 and Env117 mutants.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the definition of an immunogenic peptide inside thedomain according to the invention (RBD) corresponding to region 21-144of the precursor of the HERV-W envelope protein. FIG. 3 b shows theinhibition of the binding of the RBD to its receptor with the aid of anantibody produced from the immunogenic peptide (antiSU-EnvW) and theabsence of inhibition of RBD-receptor binding in the presence of anonspecific antibody (antiTM-EnvW).

FIG. 4 represents the alignment of the retroviral envelope sequencesbelonging to the same interference group and shows the boundaries of thesignal peptide, of the SU (surface unit) subunit and of the TM (Transmembrane) subunit and the receptor binding site. The sequences areHERV-W (Human Endogenous Retroviral Family W), RD114 (Cat Endogenousretrovirus), REV (Avian Reticuloendotheliosis Virus), BAEV (Baboonendogenous virus (strain M7)), SRV1 (Simian retrovirus SRV-1), SRV2(Simian retrovirus SRV-2) and MPMV (Simian Mason-Pfizer virus).

The following examples are given by way of illustration and have nolimiting character. They will make it possible to better understand theinvention.

EXAMPLE 1 Molecular and Phenotypical Characterization of RecombinantEnvelopes Construction and Production of the HERV-W Envelope SU Subunit

A vector phCMVEnv-Gp60 allowing the expression of a soluble recombinantenvelope protein was designed from the expression vector phCMV-Env-W(Blond J Virol, Vol 74(7): 3321-3329, 2000) containing the HERV-Wenvelope gene (538 amino acids) (clone PH74, Blond et al. J Virol Vol73(2): 1175-1185, 1999).

The soluble envelope (Gp60, 1-435) was constructed as described below:

-   -   (1) The native cleavage site RNKR (AA 314 to 317) between the SU        and TM subunits was mutated to AAAR in order to allow the        production of a fusion protein that was stable and not of two        SU-TM subunits cleaved and then recombined by a disulfide        bridge.    -   (2) The transmembrane (tm) and intracytoplasmic (CYT) regions        corresponding to amino acids 436 to 538 were deleted in order to        obtain a soluble protein.    -   (3) A spacer arm having the composition (GGGS)₃, followed by a        polyhistidine tail (RGS-HHHHHH), were added at the C-terminal        position in order to allow the purification of this protein by        IMAC and the detection by an anti-histidine monoclonal antibody        (Qiagen, RGS H6).

Starting with the vector phCMVEnv-Gp60 expressing the soluble envelope,the vector phCMV-EnvSU was constructed, allowing the production of an SUprotein. The soluble SU is a fusion protein containing a C-terminalpolyhistidine tail having the sequence RGS-HHHHHH immediately downstreamof the sequence AAAR, in order to allow the purification of this proteinby IMAC and the detection by an anti-histidine monoclonal antibody(Qiagen, RGS H6).

The schematic structure of the various proteins produced from thevectors phCMV-Env-W, phCMV-EnvGp60 and phCMV-EnvSU is illustrated inFIG. 1 a.

Production of the Soluble Envelope

The expression plasmid phCMV-EnvGp60 or phCMV-EnvSU is transfected intothe HEK293T cells by precipitation with calcium phosphate. Thesupernatant containing the GP60 or SU envelope is collected after 48hours of production in a serum-free medium and filtered on 0.45 μmmembranes in order to remove the cellular debris. 20 μl of supernatantare directly analyzed on a polyacrylamide gel and by Western blottingwith an anti-histidine monoclonal antibody (Quiagen, RGS H6). The GP60and SU proteins are correctly expressed in soluble form.

Binding Test and Analysis by Flow Cytometry

The stable lines XChASCT2 and XChASCT1 constitutively expressing thehASCT2 (XChASCT2) or hASCT1 (XChASCT1) receptors were established aftertransfection of XC cells (rat sarcoma) with vectors expressing eitherhuman receptor hASCT followed by selection of a clone as described above(Frendo et al., Mol. Cell Biol., Vol 23(10): 3566-3574, 2003). Thefollowing human cells are described in Blond J Virol, Vol 74(7):3321-3329, 2000. The TE671 cells express hASCT2. The TE671RD cellsconstitutively express the RD114 envelope (cat endogenous retrovirus)belonging to the same interference group and therefore recognizing thehASCT2 receptor. TE671galv cells constitutively express the GALV (gibbonape leukemia virus) envelope belonging to another interference group andrecognizing the PiTl receptor.

The cells were washed in PBS and harvested by detaching with 0.02%versene in PBS. A total of 10⁶ cells were incubated with 1 ml offiltered supernatant containing the soluble envelope (Gp60 or SU) for 1hour at 37° C. The cells were washed with PBA (PBS and 0.5% sodiumazide) containing 2% fetal calf serum and were labeled for 1 hour at 4°C. with an anti-histidine monoclonal antibody (RGSH6, Quiagen). Thecells were washed once with PBA and incubated with a secondary antibodycoupled to fluorescein isocyanate for 1 hour at 4° C. The cells werewashed twice with PBA and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Using the target cells XChASCT2, the inventors demonstrated that therecombinant protein Gp60 corresponding to a soluble form of the envelopehas a phenotypical characteristic identical to that of the wild-typeenvelope, namely that it is capable of binding to XC cells expressingthe hASCT2 receptor.

Using the target cells XChASCT2, XChASCT1, TE671, TE671RD, TE671 galv,the inventors demonstrated that the recombinant protein corresponding tothe SU subunit of the envelope exhibits phenotypical characteristicsidentical to those of the wild-type envelope. First of all, the SUsubunit is capable of binding to two receptors hASCT1 and hASCT2 (FIG. 1b). Furthermore, this protein was tested in relation to human cellsTE671 and derived cells TE671RD and TE671galv. The soluble SU proteinbound to the TE6781 cells expressing the hASCT2 receptor and theTE671galv cells blocked for the PiT1 receptor, but did not bind to theTE671RD cells blocked for the hASCT2 receptor (FIG. 1 c). The SUrecombinant protein and the envelope of the RD114 retrovirusspecifically interfered.

EXAMPLE 2 Identification of the Domains for Interaction of the SU Partof the W Envelope with its hASCT2 Receptor

In order to identify the boundaries of the region of the envelopebinding to the hASCT2 receptor, the inventors constructed a set ofdeletion mutants from the N- and C-terminal ends. The domains of the SUsubunit were obtained by PCR and subcloned into the expression vectorpHCMV-EnvSU and sequenced. The expression plasmids phCMV-EnvSU,Env69-317, Env197, Env168, Env169-317, Env117 and Env144 (FIG. 2 a) weretransfected into the HEK293T cells by precipitation with calciumphosphate. The conditions for production and analysis of the proteinsare identical to those detailed in example 1.

EnvSU, Env69-317 and Env197 proteins were correctly expressed in solubleform. Using the XC cells constitutively expressing hASCT2, the inventorsdemonstrated that the Env197 protein was capable of binding to thereceptor expressed at the surface of the cells like the SU subunit(1-317). Thus, the first 176 residues of the mature SU subunit (andtherefore lacking its signal peptide) were sufficient for binding to thesurface of the cells expressing the hASCT2 receptor. The deletion of the21-68 region resulted in a loss of binding to the receptor alsoindicating its involvement in the receptor binding domain (RBD). On theother hand, the truncated Env168 protein showed a lower capacity forbinding to the hASCT2 receptor.

In order to obtain the equivalent quantities in the supernatants betweenthe various truncated proteins, the inventors fused two smaller domainsof the N-terminal region of SU (Env117 and Env144) to the C-terminalregion of the SU subunit (Env169-317), the latter domain not binding tohASCT2. The level of expression of the Env117 and Env144 proteins wassimilar and the proteins were expressed in soluble form. The bindingtest showed that only the Env144 protein was capable of binding to thecells expressing the hASCT2 receptor. The absence of binding of theEnv117 protein to the surface of the cells indicated the loss of atleast one determinant of binding inside the 117-144 region.

Consequently, the boundaries of the domains for interaction of the Wenvelope with its receptor are defined by amino acids 21 to 144.

It should be noted that, in general, proteins (including the envelopeproteins) intended for secretion or for membrane expression aresynthesized in the granular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Thetranslocation of the neosynthesized proteins in the ER is conditioned byan N-terminal signal peptide (Walter and Lingappa 1986). The hydrophobicregion of the signal peptide initiates penetration into the membrane ofthe reticulum, bringing behind it the remainder of the neosynthesizedpeptide. Since the translocation starts at the same time as thesynthesis, it is the peptide being translated which crosses the ERmembrane. While the protein passes into the lumene of the ER, the signalsequence is cleaved by a specific cellular enzyme, signal peptidase(Walter P, Johnson A E: Signal sequence recognition and proteintargeting to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Annu. Rev. Cell Biol.1994, 10: 87-119). The translocation of Env into the ER is stopped bythe (hydrophobic) transmembrane domain of the glycoprotein which becomesanchored at the phospholipid membranes. In the ER lumene, the regions(SU and part of TM) intended to become extracytoplasmic are folded (thedisulfide bridges formed), glycosylated and oligomerized. Afteroligomerization, the proteins undergoing maturation are transported intothe Golgi apparatus where they undergo new glycan maturation processesand cleavage by furin-type endoproteases recognizing a motif R/KXXRleading to two SU and TM subunits.

The mature protein is targeted to the plasma membrane by virtue of amotif present on the intracytoplasmic tail containing a tyrosine(aliphatic/aromatic(Y-X-X)).

EXAMPLE 3 Test of In Vitro Inhibition of the Binding of the Envelope toits Receptor (Definition of a Peptide and Generation of a RabbitAntibody)

A peptide (112-129, TGMSDGGGVQDQAREKHV+C, 19 amino acids) was definedfrom the region defined in example 2 and from a determination of thepotentially antigenic regions of the SU subunit. A cysteine was added atthe C-terminal position for the KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin, cf.Frendo et al., Mol. Cell Biol. Vol 23(10): 3566-3574, 2003) coupling.This peptide was used to immunize a rabbit and then to affinity purifythe polyclonal antibody directed against the region 112-119 contained inthe serum of this rabbit.

The Env144 protein is preincubated at 37° C. for one hour with eitherthe anti-SU polyclonal antibody or with an anti-TM polyclonal antibody.The formation of the Env144 protein-anti-SU antibody complex drasticallyreduced the binding of the envelope to the cells expressing the hASCT2receptor. By contrast, the use of an antibody not directed against theRBD did not adversely affect its binding to the hASCT2 receptor.

EXAMPLE 4 Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against theHERV-W Envelope Protein

Immunization of Mice with DNA

Three female six-week-old BALB/c mice (IFFA-Credo) were immunized bydirect injection of naked plasmid DNA (phCMV-env-W) containing the genefor the HERV-W envelope. The injections were performed by theintradermal route with the aid of a gene gun. Five injections of 2 μg ofDNA were first performed for each mouse followed by a booster with twoinjections of 4 μg of DNA. The sera were collected and the antibodytiter for each serum was determined. Since the antibody titer was toolow, a cellular lysate was prepared.

Preparation of the Cellular Lysate

The rhabdomyosarcoma cells TelCeB6 (ATCC CRL8805) were transfected withthe plasmid phCMV-env-W. After about 20 hours and the presence ofsyncytia, a cellular extract was prepared in PBS buffer containing 0.5%Triton. The protein extracts were assayed by Bradford. The env-W antigenconcentration corresponded to 9.5 μg/μl of total proteins.

Immunization of Mice with an Extract of Cellular Lysate

The same mice first of all received an injection of 10 μg of cellularlysate by the intraperitoneal route followed by a booster injection of2×100 μg of cellular lysate by the intraperitoneal route. Three daysbefore the fusion with myeloma cells, another injection was performed,by the intravenous route, with 22 μg of soluble envelope protein Gp60obtained from the plasmid phCMV-Env-Gp60 as described in example 1,purified beforehand, before injection, on to an Ni-NTA resin (Quiagen)according to the following conditions: binding in phosphate buffer pH 8,washes in phosphate buffer pH 8 and in ammonium acetate pH 6, elution inammonium acetate buffer pH 3.5 and concentration with speed vac. 47 μgof the eukaryotic Gp60 protein thus obtained were reserved for theinjection by the intravenous route described above. After fusion, thehybridoma supernatants were tested by immuno-fluorescence on thetransfected and bound cells (TeLCeb6), the antibodies were screened by afunctional ELISA test using the Env-W protein at a concentration of 9.2μg/μl of total proteins and an Env AS protein as negative control at aconcentration of 13.3 μg/μl of total proteins and the most effectiveantibodies were selected.

The monoclonal antibodies 2H1H8, 12C7A3 and 1F11B10 were thus obtained.The monoclonal antibodies 2H1H8 and 12C7A3 are directed against thenonglycosylated N-terminal part of the SU region of the Env-HERV-Wproteins. They are directed against the RDB as shown by a Western blotassay with the aid of Env 144. The monoclonal antibody 1F11B10 isdirected against the glycosylated C-terminal part of the SU region ofthe Env-HERV-W protein as shown by a Western blot assay with the aid ofEnv 169-317. It does not recognize Env 144.

EXAMPLE 5 Test of In Vitro Inhibition of the Binding of the Envelope toits Receptor and Inhibition of the Formation of Syncytia with the Aid ofMonoclonal Antibodies by a Cell to Cell Fusion Test (Coculture)

The plasmid for expressing the envelope glycoprotein is transfected intothe cells TELCeB6 by precipitation with calcium phosphate at twoquantities 100 and 500 ng (Cosset et al., Journal of Virology, 69 (10):6314-6322 (1995)). The cells expressing the envelope are detached fromthe support 20 hours after transfection and are preincubated at 37° C.for one hour, respectively, with the anti-HIV 23A5 monoclonal antibody,the anti-TM Env-HERV-W 6A2B2 monoclonal antibody (previously obtained),the anti-SU Env-HERV-W 2H1H8 12C7A3 and 1F11B10 monoclonal antibodies(dilution 1/50th). Next, they are reinoculated at equal concentration(0.4×10⁵ cells/well) into 12-well plates.Epithelioid-carcinoma-indicating human cells (Hela, ATCC CCL-2) are thenadded to the transfected cells in an amount of 2×10⁵ cells per well andthe co-culture is continued for 24 h. An XGal(5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside) staining may then beperformed in order to stain the nucleus of the cells TELCeB6 (Cosset etal., Journal of Virology, 69 (10): 6314-6322 (1995)). It is followed bystaining with May-Grünwald and Giemsa solutions (MERCK) performedaccording to the suppliers' recommendations. The fusion observedcorresponds to a fusion “from within”, that is to say a cell to cellfusion, starting with a cell expressing the envelope, in contrast to afusion “from without” which corresponds to a formation of syncytiafollowing a virion-cell(s) fusion.

The results presented in table 1 below express the number of fused cellscounted.

TABLE 1 Antibody 23A5 6A2B2 2H1H8 1F11B10 12C7A3 100 ng 261 231 130 223ND 500 ng 217 273 73 210 11 ND: not determined

The results presented above show that the formation of the Envprotein-anti-SU 2H1H8 and 12C7A3 antibody complex dramatically reducesthe binding of the envelope to cells expressing the hASCT2 receptor andcell fusion. By contrast, the use of an antibody not directed againstrdb (6A2B2 or 1F11B10) does not adversely affect the binding of theenvelope and the fusion of the cells significantly, as may be observedby comparing to the results obtained with the anti-HIV 23A5 controlantibody.

EXAMPLE 6 Study of the In Vivo Interaction between the Envelope Proteinand the hASCT2 Receptor and the In Vivo Formation of Syncytia

To verify the results obtained in vitro, an animal model was designed.Rhabdomyosarcoma cells TelCeB6 (ATCC CRL8805), in culture in DMEM medium(Gibco Invitrogen 41966-029) supplemented with South American serum,were respectively transfected, with the aid of the LipofectAMINE PLUSHkit (Gibco Invitrogen), with the DNA corresponding to the HERV-W envgene cloned in the sense orientation at the concentration of 2 μg/μl(DNA 409), with the DNA corresponding to the HERV-W env gene cloned inthe anti-sense orientation at the concentration of 1.5 μg/μl (DNA 410)and with the DNA corresponding to a mutated HERV-W env gene at theconcentration of 1.3 μg/μl (DNA LQMV) according to the protocol detailedbelow. The cells transfected with the DNA 409are capable of expressingthe fusogenic w envelope protein, the cells transfected with the DNA 410are not capable of expressing the envelope protein and the cellstransfected with the DNA LQMV are capable of expressing a nonfusogenicmutated W envelope protein.

1). Protocol:

1st Day: Culture of the TelCeB6 cells:

-   -   inoculation of the dishes 100 mm in diameter ˜50-70% confluence;    -   incubation in supplemented DMEM medium (6 ml per dish) for 24        hours at 37° C. under 5% CO₂.        2nd Day: Transfection with the LipofectAMINE PLUS™ kit:

1 Precomplexing of the DNA

-   -   mixing of 750 μl of medium not supplemented with the        abovementioned DNAs in a 15 ml falcon tube (reference 2096),        that is 2 μl of 409 or 3 μl of 410 or 3 μl LQMV;    -   stirring under vortex of PLUS reagent and adding 20 μl thereof        to the DNA solution;    -   stirring under vortex immediately 10 seconds at 1400 rpm;    -   incubation 15 minutes at room temperature.

2 Preparation of the Cells

-   -   replacement with 5 ml of nonsupplemented medium.

3 Dilution of the LipofectAMINE

In a tube for a dish, mix 30 μl of LipofectAMINE Reagent with 750 μl ofnonsupplemented medium.

4 Complexing of the DNA

Mixing of 780 μl of dilute LipofectAMINE and 772 μl of solution ofprecomplexed DNA (total: 1552 μl); stirring under vortex immediately 10sec at 1400 rpm, incubation 15 minutes at room temperature.

5 Transfection and Production of Recipient Animals Transplanted with theTarget Cells, Treated or Not Treated by Injection of Anti-Env AntibodyDeposition of 1552 μl in a dish;incubation 2-3 hours at 37° C. under 5% CO₂;replacement of the transfection medium with 6 ml of supplemented medium;incubation 1 hour at 37° C. under 5% CO₂;injection by the intraperitoneal route (IP) to SCID mice (in a volume of1 ml), ⅕th of each dish at 70% confluence, with or without additionalinjection of anti-Env protein antibody (monoclonal antibody 2H1H8,polyclonal antibody 69 (anti-SU) and 71 (anti-TM) at 1/100).

Production of animals tolerating the transplant and allowingdissemination of the transplanted cells in the body, in parallel withthe establishment of pseudo-ascites in the peritoneal cavity.

3rd Day:

Collection of the cells from each animal by peritoneal lavage: injectionof 2 ml of air followed by 2 ml of physiological saline and thenmassaging and recovering the 2 ml of peritoneal fluid (protocoldeveloped for the recovery, in transplanted animals, of the cellsimplanted in the peritoneal cavity);

observation under an “inverted phase” microscope with counting of thesyncytia and/or after staining on a slide;immediate reading performed after spreading on slides with a griddedchamber in the presence of Trypan blue (exclusion of the dead cells).The number of cells which have fused to each other was counted per fieldwith a “wide angle” lens (40) which makes it possible to establish thecount on more than about one hundred cells so as to have a series ofstatistically representative counts.

A cellular aliquot of each sample is fixed in the presence ofmethanol/acetone (v/v) and then stored at −20° C. until a crystal violetstaining is obtained (1%). Photographs were taken of the stained slides.

2) Mice:

Groups of 2 mice are inoculated with:

the cells transfected with the three types of plasmid (DNAs 409, 410 andLQMV) with no antibody (3×2=6 mice)the cells transfected with the three types of plasmid (DNAs 409, 410 andLQMV) with the monoclonal antibody 2H1H8 (3×2=6 mice).

3) Results:

The number of fused cells determined by direct reading on a griddedcounting chamber per 100 cells is indicated in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 ECP (Tryptan blue) reading: direct reading of the syncytia LinesS1* count S2* count Mean 409 control 19 22 20.5 409 + 2H1H8 3 4 3.5 410control 8 11 9.5 410 + 2H1H8 2 3 2.5 LQMV control 8 5 6.5 LQMV + 2H1H8 11 1 S1* and S2* = mouse 1 and mouse 2

Each number represents the number of fused and visualized cells perfield studied. As some cells may be superposed in the optical path, thecount for the cells appearing fused in the controls is greater thanzero. The reality of the syncytia and the discrimination with stacks ofcells were then verified by staining the cells on a slide, withvisualization of multiple cell nuclei contained in a space delimited bythe continuation of a single and sole cell membrane. Moreover, photosshowing cells in the course of fusion made it possible to objectify thereality of the fusion upon analysis by phase contrast microscopy and thetotal absence of an equivalent phenomenon in the controls.

To statistically objectify the primary analysis represented by thenumbers indicated in Table 2, a Chi-2 test was performed in order tocompare the data in Table 2.

The results of the statistical analysis taking into account the“background noise” of the primary reading, without secondary analysisafter staining on a slide or a search for typical cells in the course offusion which are never seen in the controls, are the following:

i) Statistical validation of the specificity of the pathogenic effect invivo:Env expressed (409): 20.5 positives counted on average out of 100 cells,anti-sense Env (410): 9.5 positives counted on average out of 100 cells,mutated Env (LQMV): 6.5 positives counted on average out of 100 cells,mean of the controls (410 and LQMV): 9.5+6.5/2=8%.Env versus control 410: Chi-2=5.89 (p<0.02)Env versus control LQMV: Chi-2=9.83 (p<0.002)Env versus the two controls (410 and LQMV): Chi-2=7.69 (p<0.01)Control 410 versus control LQMV: Chi-2=0.61 (difference notsignificant).

The controls are therefore statistically equivalent and there is no“real” difference linked to the type of control.

The results obtained from this stage of analysis (not excluding thebackground noise linked to the artefactual images and by comparing thetwo types of control with each other (which prove to be equivalent)) wasstatistically very significant (overall p<0.01). Subsequent analysis, bystaining, of the specificity of the effects therefore merely confirm thespecificity of the effect obtained in vivo in the presence of the Envprotein, thereby validating the animal model of the in vivo study ofsyncytia whose fusion was induced by HERV-W Env.

ii) Statistical validation of the therapeutic activity of the antibodiestested on the pathogenic effect in vivo:Env expressed (409): 20.5 positives counted on average out of 100 cells,Env expressed (409)+monoclonal antibody 2H1H8: 3.5 positives counted onaverage out of 100 cells.Env alone versus injection of the antibody 2H1H8: Chi-2=15.38 (p<0.001)

The results obtained show a statistically significant effect for themonoclonal antibody (probability of result due to chance (p) less than0.001). Subsequent analyses, by staining, of the specificity of theeffects merely confirm the specificity of the effect obtained in vivo inthe presence of the Env protein and of antibody, thereby validating thetherapeutic effect on the animal model.

EXAMPLE 7 Study In Vivo of the Binding of the HERV-W Env Protein toCells Possessing or Not Possessing Type 1 or 2 hASCT Receptors and ofthe Inhibition of this Binding by Injection of Antibodies DirectedAgainst HERV-W Env 1) Materials

Soluble protein: supernatant filtered on 0.45 μm containing the solubleprotein (293T cells transfected with the plasmid 460(envelope-spacer-His6).

Expression verified by Western blotting with an anti-RGS-His antibody.

Antibody: monoclonal antibody 2H1H8 (IgG, 5.50 mg/ml).

Cells: XChASCT2, cellular clone XC (ATCC CCL-165, rat cells) expressingthe hASCT2 receptor.

DMEM medium (Gibco Invitrogen 41966-029) with South American serum.

Preincubation, incubation, labeling in a 1.5 ml Eppendorf tube.

2) Protocol

1 IP (Intraperitoneal) Inoculation of the XChASCT1, XChASCT2 Cells andControl Cells XChASCT—into SCID Mice

Injection into mice of ⅕th of the flask at 70% confluence in a volume of2 ml.

2 Preincubation

Incubation of the soluble protein supernatant (filtered supernatant ofthe 293T line) with the monoclonal antibody 2H1H8 (990 μl of supernatantwith 10 μl of antibody ( 1/100th dilution)) for 1 hour at 37° C. in thecell incubator with occasional stirring (every 15 minutes).

3 Inoculation

IP (intraperitoneal) inoculation of the proteins alone or with theantibody into mice transplanted with the cells (1×10⁶ cells per point,that is ⅕th of a confluent dish 100 mm in diameter).

After injection of the antibody (200 microliters), maintained as IP, for6 hours, with an occasional peritoneal massage (every 30-60 minutes).

4 Recovery of the Cells by Peritoneal Lavage of the Transplanted Mice

-   -   Centrifugation 3000 revolutions for 5 minutes at +4° C.    -   Recovery of the cellular pellet and dilution in the labeling        media (maintained at +4° C. until fixing).

5 Labeling

-   -   Primary antibody:

The pellet is taken up in 100 μl of anti-RGS His antibody (100thdilution—Quiagen) in a PBA buffer (PBS with 2% fetal calf serum and 0.1%sodium azide), maintained at +4° C.

1 hour in ice with occasional stirring (every 15 minutes).

Washing in PBA buffer (1 ml per tube), maintained at +4° C.

-   -   Secondary Antibody:

Centrifugation 3000 revolutions for 5 minutes at +4° C. The pellet istaken up in 100 μl of anti-mouse antibody-FITC ( 1/20th dilution—DAKO,reference F0479 in a PBA buffer) maintained at +4° C.

1 hour in ice with occasional stirring (every 15 minutes).

2 washes in PBA buffer (1 ml per tube), maintained at +4° C.

Pellet taken up in 500 μl of PBA, maintained at +4° C., and analyzed byFACS.

Alternatively, analysis by IF after fixing on a slide inacetone/methanol (50%/50%) at −20° C. and counter-staining with Evansblue.

3) Nice:

Groups of 2 mice are inoculated with:

each type of cell (expressing the 2 types of receptor hASCT1 and hASCT2and one not expressing the receptor hASCT—as a control) with no antibody(3×2=6 mice) the three types of cell with the Env protein and themonoclonal antibody 2H1H8 (3×2=6 mice).

4) Results

The results by immunofluorescence (IF) reading with a microscope arepresented in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3 IF reading: number of fluorescent cells/total number of cells(NF/NT) in the same field Lines NF/NT Mean XC control 1/18, 0/10 1/28XC + 2H1H8 0/20 0/20 XChASCT1 control 12/40, 3/12, 9/25 24/77 XChASCT1 + 2H1H8  1/25, 0/18, 1/30 2/73 XChASCT2 control 8/22, 15/3523/57  XChASCT1 + 2H1H8 1/45 1/45

Each number represents the number of cells visualized as fluorescent perfield studied. As some cells may have bound fluorescence in anon-specific manner, the count for the cells appearing fluorescent underthe control conditions is therefore greater than zero in one of the twofields counted (mean of the two fields= 1/28, that is 0.036%, which isentirely reasonable for the background noise of such a readingtechnique). The reality of the cells that bound the Env protein to theirhASCT1 or hASCT2 receptor was then verified by cytofluorometricanalysis.

In order to statistically objectify the analysis presented in Table 3, aChi-2 test was performed in order to compare the data obtained under theconditions according to which (i) the Env protein can bind to a receptorhASCT1 (control hASCT1) or hASCT2 (control hASCT2) present at thesurface of the cells transplanted into SCID mice versus the graftedcontrol cells which have no receptor (control X) to which the Envprotein injected into the corresponding animals cannot bind and thusdoes not give membrane fluorescence in the presence of an anti-Envantibody and (ii) the Env protein can bind to a receptor hASCT1 (controlhASCT1) or hASCT2 (control hASCT2) present at the surface of the cellstransplanted into SCID mice versus the injection of a monoclonalantibody directed against Env-SU.

The results of the statistical analysis are presented below:

i) Statistical validation of the specificity of the pathogenic effect invivo:control hASCT1: 24 positives counted on average out of 77 cells,control hASCT2: 23 positives counted on average out of 57 cells,hASCT− cells: 1 positive counted on average out of 28 cells.Env+grafts hASCT1 versus hASCT−: Chi-2=8.62 (p<0.01)Env+grafts hASCT2 versus HASCT−: Chi-2=12.53 (p<0.001)Env+grafts hASCT1 versus env+grafts hASCT2: Chi-2=1.21 (difference notsignificant).

The cells expressing the hASCT1 or hASCT2 receptors at their surface aretherefore indeed statistically equivalent and there is no difference inthe Env binding to the receptor linked to subtype 1 or 2, under theconditions of the experiment.

The results obtained with the animals transplanted with the cellsexpressing the membrane receptors hASCT1 or hASCT2 are statisticallysignificant in the light of the results obtained with the controlanimals trans-planted with the cells expressing none of these receptorsat their surface.

These results confirm the specificity of the effect obtained in vivo inthe presence of the Env protein in the animal models.

ii) Statistical validation of the therapeutic activity of the antibodiestested on the pathogenic effect in vivo:Env+grafts control hASCT1: 24 positives counted on average out of 77cellsEnv+grafts hASCT1+monoclonal antibody 2H1H8: 2 positives counted onaverage out of 73 cells.Env+grafts hASCT1 alone versus injection antibody 2H1H8: Chi-2=21.14(p<0.001)

The results obtained show a statistically significant effect for themonoclonal antibody (probability of the result due to chance (p) lessthan 0.001).

Env+grafts hASCT2: 23 positives counted on average out of 57 cellsEnv+grafts hASCT2+monoclonal antibody 2H1H8: 1 positive counted onaverage out of 45 cells.Env+grafts hASCT2 alone versus injection antibody 2H1H8: Chi-2=20.31(p<0.001).

The results obtained show a statistically significant effect for themonoclonal antibody (probability of the result due to chance (p) overallless than 0.01).

The validation of the animal models against the appropriate controlsmakes it possible to demonstrate that antibodies may have a therapeuticactivity by significantly inhibiting the pathogenic effects of theHERV-W Env protein.

EXAMPLE 8 Alignment of the Sequences of the Interference Group

The protein sequences of the envelopes of the retroviruses HERV-W(swiss-prot Q9UQF0), RD114 (swiss-prot Q98654), REV (swiss-prot P31796),BAEV (swiss-prot P10269), SRV1 (swiss-prot P04027), SRV2 (swiss-protP51515) and MPMV (swiss-prot P07575) were aligned with the aid of theMacvector software with the ClustalW procedure. The signal peptide, theSU (surface unit) subunit and the TM (Trans membrane) subunit areindicated. The receptor binding site is underlined.

1. A peptide domain necessary for an interaction between an envelope ofa virus belonging to an HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor,the peptide domain comprising: an N-terminus motif having an amino acidsequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ IDNo. 29, a C-terminus motif having an amino acid sequence selected fromthe group consisting of: SEQ ID No. 30 to SEQ ID No. 40, and at leastone motif between the N-terminus and the C-terminus, and having an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID No. 41, SEQID No. 42 and SEQ ID No.
 73. 2. A nucleotide sequence encoding a peptidedomain as defined in claim
 1. 3. An epitope derived from the peptidedomain of claim 1, wherein the epitope induces an immune responseagainst a virus belonging to the HERV-W interference group.
 4. Anucleotide sequence encoding an epitope as defined in claim
 3. 5. Anexpression vector comprising: the nucleotide sequence of claim 2, andelements necessary for expressing the nucleotide sequence.
 6. Amicroorganism or host cell transformed with at least one expressionvector as defined in claim
 5. 7. An antibody directed against a peptidedomain as defined in claim
 1. 8. A method of inhibiting, preventingand/or treating in an animal an infection caused by a virus belonging toan HERV-W interference group, the method comprising: administering tothe animal, in an effective amount, a composition comprising as anactive substance at least one peptide domain of claim 1 and elementsnecessary for a constitutive and/or inducible expression of said peptidedomain.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an activesubstance, at least one peptide domain of claim 1 and elements necessaryfor a constitutive and/or inducible expression of said peptide domain,and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
 10. A diagnostic compositionfor detecting and/or quantifying a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group, and/or for quantifying an immune response againstsaid virus, the composition comprising at least one peptide domain ofclaim
 1. 11. A method for detecting and/or quantifying virus belongingto an HERV-W interference group in a biological sample taken from anindividual liable to be infected by said virus, the method comprising:contacting said biological sample with at least one antibody of claim 7under conditions allowing formation of a complex between the virus andthe antibody, and detecting and/or quantifying the formation of saidcomplex.
 12. A method of in vitro screening of a virus belonging to anHERV-W interference group in a biological sample or specimen, the methodcomprising: contacting the composition of claim 10 with the biologicalsample or specimen, and determining whether an immune response to thevirus is produced.
 13. A method of inhibiting an interaction between anenvelope of a virus belonging to an HERV-W interference group and anhASCT receptor, the method comprising contacting the peptide domain ofclaim 1 with said hASCT receptor.
 14. A method of identifying chemicalor biological molecules whose interaction with all or part of thepeptide domain of claim 1 blocks an interaction between an envelope of avirus belonging to an HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor,the method comprising: contacting at least one chemical or biologicalmolecule with the peptide domain of claim 1; and detecting whetherinteraction occurs between the envelope of the virus belonging to theHERV-W interference group and the hASCT receptor.
 15. A method ofgenerating antibodies which block an interaction between an envelope ofa virus belonging to an HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor,the method comprising inoculating an animal or cultured cells with thepeptide domain of claim 1, thereby inducing the animal or cultured cellsto generate antibodies directed against the peptide domain of claim 1.16. A method of determining a peptide domain necessary for aninteraction between an envelope of a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group and an hASCT receptor, the method comprising:identifying a nucleotide and/or peptide sequence of a precursor envelopeof said virus, excluding a signal part of said sequence, detecting anamino acid motif having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ IDNo. 43, and excluding a C-terminus in the amino acid sequence between 15and 25 amino acid positions after the amino acid motif having an aminoacid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID No.
 43. 17. A peptide domaindetermined by the method of claim
 16. 18. The method of claim 8, whereinthe animal is a human.
 19. An antibody produced by the method of claim15.
 20. A method of producing a peptide domain necessary for aninteraction between an envelope of a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group and an hASCT receptor, the method comprising:transforming a microorganism or a host cell with at least one expressionvector of claim 5, culturing the transformed microorganism or host cell,and recovering the peptide domain produced by the microorganism or hostcell.
 21. An expression vector comprising: the nucleotide sequence ofclaim 4, and elements necessary for expressing the nucleotide sequence.22. A microorganism or host cell transformed with at least oneexpression vector of claim
 21. 23. A method of producing a peptidedomain necessary for an interaction between an envelope of a virusbelonging to an HERV-W interference group and an hASCT receptor, themethod comprising: transforming a microorganism or host cell with atleast one expression vector of claim 21, culturing the transformedmicroorganism or host cell, and recovering the peptide domain producedby the microorganism or host cell.
 24. An antibody directed against theepitope of claim
 3. 25. A method of inhibiting, preventing and/ortreating in an animal an infection caused by a virus belonging to anHERV-W interference group, the method comprising: administering to theanimal, in an effective amount, a composition comprising as an activesubstance at least one epitope of claim 3 and elements necessary for aconstitutive and/or inducible expression of said epitope.
 26. The methodof claim 25, wherein the animal is a human.
 27. A method of inhibiting,preventing and/or treating in an animal an infection caused by a virusbelonging to an HERV-W interference group, the method comprising:administering to the animal, in an effective amount, a compositioncomprising as an active substance at least one antibody of claim
 7. 28.The method of claim 27, wherein the animal is a human.
 29. A method ofinhibiting, preventing and/or treating in an animal an infection causedby a virus belonging to an HERV-W interference group, the methodcomprising: administering to the animal, in an effective amount, acomposition comprising as an active substance at least one nucleotidesequence of claim
 2. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the animal is ahuman.
 31. A method of inhibiting, preventing and/or treating in ananimal an infection caused by a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group, the method comprising: administering to the animal,in an effective amount, a composition comprising as an active substanceat least one nucleotide sequence of claim
 4. 32. The method of claim 31,wherein the animal is a human.
 33. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising, as an active substance, at least one epitope of claim 3 andelements necessary for a constitutive and/or inducible expression ofsaid epitope, and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
 34. Apharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active substance, at leastone nucleotide sequence of claim 2, and a pharmaceutically acceptablevehicle.
 35. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an activesubstance, at least one nucleotide sequence of claim 4, and apharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
 36. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising, as an active substance, at least one antibody of claim 7,and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
 37. A diagnostic compositionfor detecting and/or quantifying a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group, and/or for quantifying an immune response againstsaid virus, the composition comprising at least one epitope of claim 3.38. A diagnostic composition for detecting and/or quantifying a virusbelonging to an HERV-W interference group, and/or for quantifying animmune response against said virus, the composition comprising at leastone nucleotide sequence of claim
 2. 39. A diagnostic composition fordetecting and/or quantifying a virus belonging to an HERV-W interferencegroup, and/or for quantifying an immune response against said virus, thecomposition comprising at least one nucleotide sequence of claim
 4. 40.A diagnostic composition for detecting and/or quantifying a virusbelonging to an HERV-W interference group, and/or for quantifying animmune response against said virus, the composition comprising at leastone antibody of claim
 7. 41. A method of inhibiting an interactionbetween an envelope of a virus belonging to an HERV-W interference groupand an hASCT receptor, the method comprising contacting the epitope ofclaim 3 with said hASCT receptor.
 42. A method of inhibiting aninteraction between an envelope of a virus belonging to an HERV-Winterference group and an hASCT receptor, the method comprisingcontacting the antibody of claim 7 with said envelope.